After boarding the Clipper Point at 23.00 we were very
quickly shown to our cabins, and managed to catch a few hours of
sleep before starting the survey very early the following day.

We were on the bridge and recording by 05.30 and birds
were already to become active. Almost the first bird we saw
was a Pomarine Skua resting on the sea, before it took off and
flapped away to the north. The more usual seabirds were very
active with significant numbers of Kittiwake, Manx Shearwater,
Razorbill and Guillemot flying to and from feeding areas. It
looked like there was very good feeding available as many of the
auks were seen carrying sardine-like fish off to their nesting
sites.

As we approached Dublin we began to pick up increased
numbers of gulls, mostly Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull and Common
Gull but also some Mediterranean Gull in spectacular breeding
plumage. A few Black Guillemot were pottering around as
well.

As the ship slowly approached it berth, Alison
spotted a Harbour Seal lazily rolling in the turbulence caused by
the ship's bow thrusters. After lunch we enjoyed watching numbers
of Arctic Tern and Common Tern as the ship loaded its cargo, as
well as a Little Egret that flew up river.

The return trip started off with good numbers of gulls as
we exited Dublin port, but then became rather quiet for birds.
Half way across as the ship passed to the south of the Isle
of Man, we finally caught up with marine mammals with two sightings
of loafing Grey Seal.

Our patience in waiting for cetacean sightings was
finally rewarded when we spotted a small group of Harbour
Porpoise moving quickly and splashily out of the way of the
approaching ship. This was followed not long after by a
playful pod of Common Dolphin which broke off from
hunting to speed towards the bows of the ship in hope of a game of
bow-riding!

We had enjoyed the many Common
Tern and Arctic Tern that were nesting on the
artificial platforms in Dublin harbour but as we passed close to
Anglesey it was good to see numbers of these sea-swallows well out
at sea looking for food. Many seemed to be having some
success as they carried off fish back towards their nesting sites
on the coast. We paid some attention to identifying these birds and
although many remained stubbornly as Commic Tern, we
managed to confirm a number as Common
Tern and Arctic Tern and most excitingly at least
one as a Roseate Tern, presumably out from its nesting site on
the island.

As the ship left Anglesey behind we passed through large
swarms of jellyfish close to the sea's surface. Most of these
were large swarms of Moon Jellyfish, but there were good
numbers of Lion's Mane Jellyfish and a few Barrel
Jellyfish in the mix. At times the sea looked like
jellyfish soup!

Much less welcome sights were the large numbers
of half-inflated plastic balloons floating on the surface, many
with trailing plastic string. With so much plastic poison waiting
to kill our valuable wildlife, why is there not a ban on pointless
and irresponsible balloon releases?

One of the stranger sights we encountered on our return
voyage was not to do with wildlife but with the hot weather!
The heat of the day had created ae extensive mirage on the
eastern horizon, making the Anglesey coast look like huge sea
cliffs, while South Stack lighthouse was transformed into a Saturn
5 rocket ready for take-off!

These mid-summer surveys allow recording to be carried
out deep into the evening, and although there was a distinct lull
in bird activity as the evening progressed we persisted in the hope
of more cetacean records. During these quiet recording
periods we were entertained by a sub-adult Gannet which
spent a couple of hours escorting the ship and allowing some superb
close-up views as it soared past the bridge windows. 'Graham'
(as Alison called him!) finally left us to investigate what tasty
morsel another Gannet had caught with a spectacular dive into the
outer waters of Morecambe Bay!

As we approached the Lune Deep we
drew the survey to a close as a fiery sun set into the Irish Sea
beyond the Morecambe Bay windfarm.

Our thanks to Seatruck for their fantastic support of
Marinelife surveys, to Captain Victors Suharevs and his crew for
their warm welcome, and very special thanks to the passenger
steward who with warm good humour kept us fed and comfortable!